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What would Southampton’s potential takeover mean for the club?

By Josh Kingdom

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Fans arrive at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on April 5, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Fans arrive at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on April 5, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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In the past fortnight, lots of speculation has surrounded Saints with rumours of a takeover deal by Chinese real estate management and development company, Lander Sports Development.

There are many different stories flying around, however, the majority are suggesting that current owner,Katharina Liebherr is on the brink of selling a majority share of 80 percent, despite reports the deal had broken down completely.

I think that if we are to compete with the so-called ‘big boys’ for titles and for European football season after season, then a cash injection could be needed. This season, Southampton have spent just £58.57m which is thirteenth highest in all of England’s top four leagues.

Saints also made a healthy £16.15m profit, only Newcastle bettering that (£36.45m). While all of that money is coming into the club, record signing Sofiane Boufal doesn’t even make the top 100 transfer fees made in the Premier League since its re-branding 25 years ago.

It’s not always about the money, it’s about the players you buy with the money. In the summer transfer window, Manchester United spent a total of £157m and currently occupy fifth place in the league.

However, 2015/16 champions, Leicester City, spent just £40m so this represents that it is the quality of the players you sign and not how much you spend on them.

A takeover may take away the ‘family feel’ of the club. Saints have been owned by the Liebherr family since July 2009, 98 days after the club’s holding company Leisure Holdings PLC had gone into administration.

Saints then faced a 10 point deduction and started the season in League One. Within his one season, Liebherr helped the club to victory in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy before passing away on the 10 August 2010.

After his death, he left the club to daughter, Katharina Liebherr and have since made their way back to the Premier League including back-to-back promotions in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

Stats – Transfermarkt